Exergaming, Exercise, and Gaming: Sharing Motivations.

Area of Science:

• Health and Exercise Science
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Game Studies

Background:

• Exergame technologies are recognized by health professionals for therapeutic potential and physical activity promotion.
• While the health benefits of exergaming are increasingly studied, user experience and motivational factors remain underexplored.
• Understanding gamer motivations is crucial for enhancing participation in exergaming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the motivations for participation across exercise, computer games, and exergaming contexts.
• To identify key motivational elements that foster engagement in exergaming.
• To analyze motivational components through the lens of self-determination theory.

Main Methods:

• Administered survey instruments across three distinct participation contexts: exercise, computer games, and exergaming.
• Investigated motivational components aligned with self-determination theory.
• Collected data on user perceptions and experiences within each context.

Main Results:

• Enjoyment, post-session well-being, and social interaction are significant motivators across all three contexts.
• Exergaming participation is additionally driven by the perception of engaging in mild physical activity during gameplay.
• Potential for suboptimal challenge in exergaming may negatively impact motivation, unlike exercise (health focus) or computer games (mood/social focus).

Conclusions:

• Key drivers for exergaming participation include enjoyment, improved mood, social engagement, and the perception of light exercise.
• Motivational strategies should consider optimal challenge levels to sustain long-term engagement in exergaming.
• Findings provide insights for designing and promoting exergames that effectively integrate physical activity and gaming enjoyment.